Getting to know the Bucs before their next game? Let’s help you catch up. Here’s all you need to know about NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their home games, where to book tickets, and how to find the cheapest deal on parking near Raymond James Stadium.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers became an NFL franchise in 1976, playing their inaugural season in the AFC West Division. They switched with the Seattle Seahawks the next year and moved to NFC Central Division. However, since the league’s realignment efforts in 2002, the two-time Super Bowl champions play in the NFC South Division. They have 12 playoff appearances and seven division championships from 46 seasons.
Did You Know? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the only two NFL teams that have not lost at any of their multiple Super Bowl appearances. In contrast, the Bucs hold the lowest winning percentage (.404) due to their overall success rate in the league.
The team’s latest triumph is the Super Bowl LV – they are the first team to win the championship at home. As COVID-19 protocols limited the seating capacity to 25K, it was the least-attended Super Bowl game. However, Bucs’ Raymond James Stadium held a home game attendance record of 65,835 since January 2000. The 2022 regular season home opener hiked it up to 69,197 to set a new record.
Read: Which Is the Biggest NFL Stadium? And Which Is the Smallest?
It’s another hopeful season for the Bucs, and the home crowd is ready to back them up. So, you’ll need a plan for your next visit to Raymond James Stadium. Don’t let last-minute tickets, gameday traffic, and parking play spoilsport – we’ve got tips for everything you need. But before you go, here’s what you must know about the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1976 – Present
In their first two decades (1976 – 1996), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost more than double the NFL games they won (100-223-1). However, by their fourth season, the franchise managed to top their division and win a playoff.
After a 26-game losing streak, the Bucs won their first regular season game in 1977. They beat the New Orleans Saints 33-14 at the Superdome in the 13th Week and quickly followed it up with a home win over the St. Louis Cardinals before the season ended.
The success did not last long, save for a brief period in the early 80s. From 1983 to 1996, the Buccaneers suffered 14 losing seasons in a row! However, after the Glazer family took ownership, the franchise’s fortunes improved. They returned to the playoffs in 1997, won the division championship in 1999, and made it to their first Super Bowl in 2002.
At Super Bowl XXXVII, Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Oakland Raiders 48-21. After that, they continued to traverse highs and lows over the next two decades. Post-2007, the Bucs did not get a playoff berth until their 2020 championship season. Then, they beat Washington 31-23 in the wild-card round and clinched their first postseason win since lifting the 2002 Super Bowl trophy.
A new era began with head coach Bruce Arians and QB Tom Brady on board. The Bucs excelled 31-9 over the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs to win their second Super Bowl on February 8, 2021. Coincidently, Raymond James Stadium – named Super Bowl LV venue in 2017 – became the first and only NFL stadium to witness their home team’s championship win.
The Bucs’ campaign for a consecutive title in 2022 ended after losing 30-27 to the eventual Super Bowl LVI champions, Los Angeles Rams, in the divisional playoffs.
What is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ schedule for this season?
With one more season left on his contract, everyone’s favorite quarterback decided to retire in February 2022. But no worries – Tom Brady retracted it within 40 days and returned for his 23rd NFL season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers News | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Standings
The Buccaneers began the 2022 regular season with two away wins against the Dallas Cowboys (19 – 3) and the New Orleans Saints (20 – 10). In Week 3, they lost their home opener 12 – 14 to the Green Bay Packers.
Kansas City Chiefs are the next visitors at Raymond James Stadium. The upcoming week 4 game is on October 2, followed by another home game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 9. The next Sunday, the Bucs visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
You can check out the full schedule of upcoming Tampa bay Buccaneers games here.
Who are the best Tampa Bay Buccaneers players of all time?
Buccaneers have six Hall of Famers – Lee Roy Selmon (DE), Steve Young (QB), Randall McDaniel (OG), Warren Sapp (DT), Derrick Brooks (LB), Tim Brown (WR), and John Lynch (S).
Though they have traversed more lows than highs in the league, the Bucs’ suffocating defense remains a constant advantage. Three Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have earned the AP Defensive Player of the Year title (Selmon, Sapp, and Brooks), and all five Bucs Hall of Famers played/coached defense.
Dexter Jackson and Tom Brady are the Bucs’ Super Bowl MVPs.
See the current Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, depth chart, and stats here.
Are Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets available?
You’ll find limited Bucs tickets for the ongoing season online, including verified resale passes. Check availability here.
NFL now uses digital ticketing; you can buy your game passes through the official apps or website. Use the live ticket on the app to enter the stadium; screenshots will not work. Each ticket has a dynamic barcode that is updated every 15 seconds.
Find out how to book, access, transfer tickets, and more details about mobile ticketing here.
Where is Tampa Bay Buccaneers stadium?
Bucs’ Raymond James Stadium is a 10-minute drive from the Tampa International airport. The Florida Aquarium and downtown Tampa are almost at the same distance, to the southeast of the stadium.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started playing home games at Raymond James Stadium in 1998. Before that, they used the now demolished Tampa Stadium. The Bucs share their stadium with the NCAA’s South Florida Bulls. Raymond James Stadium has hosted three Super Bowls – XXXV, XLIII, and LV. For college football, it annually hosts the Tampa Bay Bowl and Gasparilla Bowl.
See: The comprehensive list of all NFL Teams and stadiums (2022)
What is the Bucs game day timeline for this season?
- Parking lots, Bucs Beach, and the team store open 3.5 hours before kickoff.
- Club entry starts 2.5 hours before the game, but the stadium gates open one hour after that.
- Player warmups begin half an hour after the gates open – one hour before the kickoff.
What is Bucs Beach?
The Buccaneers have a beach-teamed pregame party area at their stadium, called Bucs Beach. It is in the South Plaza and is open for all ages. You can enjoy live performances, drinks from tiki huts, hammocks under palm trees, and other entertainment in this area. Jr. Bucs Kids Zone is open to all kids and families with Buccaneers game passes.
Bucs Beach is open 3.5 hours before kickoff to the start of the first quarter.
When do the pirate cannons fire?
The Buccaneers pirate ship behind the north end zone seats is the most popular attraction at Raymond Stadium. While it is closed during events, the ships cannons fire to signal key points during the game.
- Touchdown – 6 fires
- Field goal – 3 fires
- Extra point and Bucs offense in the Red Zone – 1 fire
How to reach Raymond James Stadium for Bucs games?
The best way to reach Tampa Bay Buccaneers game today is by car or using ride sharing services. There’s plenty of parking near the stadium and the pick-up/drop-off area is only a quick walk from Gate A. Taxis, Buses, and Limos are also staged at Steinbrenner Field to the stadium’s west.
Raymond James Stadium address is 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy. Use the map below to plan your route or see driving directions to parking lots here.
How many entrance gates are there at Bucs stadium?
For general admission to Bucs games, you can use the four main gates on each corner of the stadium. Ford Gate (Gate A) and Gate B are on the north side, while Gate C and Fifth Third Bank Gate (Gate D) entrance is from the South Plaza. Gates A and C have specialized ADA/Accessible entrances.
Suite and other premium seat holders – Stadium Club, Champions Lounge, Hall of Fame Clubs, Hyundai Club – can use the East or West suite entrances.
See Tampa Bay Buccaneers seating and Raymond James Stadium map here.
Is there Day-of-game parking at Buccaneers stadium?
Raymond James Stadium parking spots for Tampa Bay Buccaneers games are pre-bookable online. However, you’ll also find limited day-of-game parking at the on-site lots.
Multiple parking lots outside at the Raymond James Stadium have around 10K spots. Additionally, 15k off-site parking spaces are available near the stadium. All parking is cashless, contactless, and on a first-come, first-served basis.
All parking lots, except the RV lot, open 3.5 hours before kickoff. RV/Camper parking for Bucs games is at lots 9, 13, and 14. These lots open 5.5 hours before the game begins, but overnight parking is not allowed.
See: Tampa Parking Guide – All You Need to Know About Parking in the City
How much does Tamps Bay Buccaneers parking cost?
Gameday parking rates for the ongoing Tampa Bay Buccaneers season are:
- Red Lots (Lots B, D, 3D, 4 VIP, 14 VIP, HCC VIP, 5, and 6 D) – $50 + taxes
- Orange Lots (Lots 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, HCC, and STN) – $40 + taxes
- ADA Lots A and C (Day-of-game parking only) – $40 + taxes
- Pewter Lots (Lots 3, 4. 7. 6, and 14) – $45 + taxes
- RV Lot – $87 + taxes
Parking rates for season ticket holders are lower and all rates are subject to change. Check for updates and see Tampa Bay Buccaneers parking lot map here.
Is there any cheap parking near Raymond James Stadium?
While official Bucs parking will cost you over $40 for just a few hours, alternative parking near Raymond James Stadium is as low as $20/day (Up to 24 hours). You can use a parking app to easily find these cheap deals near the Bucs stadium in Tampa.
Don’t forget to pre-book your off-stadium Tampa Bay Buccaneers parking for a guaranteed spot and maximum discounts.
Also See: Find the Best Tampa Bay Rays Parking near Tropicana Field
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Celine is your ‘Need-a-car-because-I’ve-got-places-to-be’ friend. With 10 years of experience in travel & lifestyle writing, she’s always searching for the latest user-friendly features in a car. While she’s not relaxing on a long road trip or catching the next flight for a weekend getaway, you’ll find her home huddled up with a good book or a new show and armchair traveling into distant lands or fantastic worlds.
